Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis

Abstract

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), also called postinfectious encephalitis/encephalomyelitis, is an immune-mediated inflammatory and demyelinating multifocal disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). It is typically monophasic [1]. In most patients, ADEM follows within a few days to weeks of a triggering infection or more rarely vaccination (Table 11.1). A minority of patients have no identifiable prior event. ADEM does not represent an ongoing CNS infection.

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